Congress-JD(S) ''tacit pact'' comes to fore: BJP leader

Bangalore, May 12 (UNI) The BJP in Karnataka today reiterated its charge that the Congress and the Janata Dal(S) were ''conspiring'' to defeat the Saffron in the Party Assembly elections and prevent it from coming to power state here.

Reacting sharply on the decision of JD(S) candidate Diwakar Babu to retire from the contest in Bellary city Assembly seat in favour of the Congress, BJP state president Sadananda Gowda alleged that the two parties have been working in tandem right from the day Assembly election dates were announced for Karnataka.

Speaking to UNI, he accused the two parties of giving party tickets to aspirants in such a manner that it would mutually benefit them. The JD(S) had not fielded its nominee for Shikaripur seat where BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa was seeking re-election for the sixth time.

''Now with the decision of Mr Babu to retire from the contest, the BJP's argument that the Congress and JD(S) are involved in a deceit poll understanding strengthens,'' Mr Gowda claimed.

He expressed confidence that the BJP would come back to power despite the conspiracies of both the Congress and the JD(S).

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Suresh Kumar accused the Congress of using the national flag and illegitimately highlighting the killing of its two Prime Ministers in its election campaign CDs, which was violation of the model code of conduct.

''We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding impounding of such CDs,'' he said.

Welcoming Janata Dal(S) chief H D Deve Gowda's remarks during an election meeting in Dakshina Kannada yesterday, Mr Kumar said making voting compulsory could be debated in view of the poor turnout in the urban areas, especially in the city, during the elections in the first phase, on Saturday.

''But is this the same person whose party legislators did not bother to vote in the recent Presidential elections. When elected members themselves become apathetic, how can we compel voters that they must vote?'' he said.

He condemned the allegation levelled by the Congress and the JD(S) that the communal stance of the BJP was responsible for Saturday's blasts in a Hubli court.

''These two parties are shamelessly making such statement only to safeguard their vote bank. They can stoop to any level to get votes at the cost of nation's security and integrity,'' Mr Kumar alleged.

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